ok let me start by saying im still kinda new to the bird world that being said lets get down to it at my shop 3 baby sun conures where hatched out one 19 days ago one 18 days ago and one 15 days ago and we want to hand raise them so when they are old enough to be rehomed they will be tame and great birds (plus im gonna be getting one for myself) so does anyone have any tips for me ? Like any does and donts ? we do have all we need to do it properly im just looking for a few helpfull pointers to help me threw this for my first time

I've heard its safer to feed by just placing food in the mouth, not down it. Let the baby swallow and decide how much it wants to ake. Dont feed too much in one go. feed a bit, stop and let them swallow and wait for them to beg for more. This is just what I've read and I am in no way an expert. There are plenty member here though who have hand fed babies and have even bred too!

I've heard its safer to feed by just placing food in the mouth, not down it. Let the baby swallow and decide how much it wants to ake. Dont feed too much in one go. feed a bit, stop and let them swallow and wait for them to beg for more. This is just what I've read and I am in no way an expert. There are plenty member here though who have hand fed babies and have even bred too!

That what I've heard as well and what I will be doing as well(if you get this bird soon tell me how it goes!).

Though I have also heard that it takes longer to feed a individual bird fully but that is your call. For beginners, everyone told me to go this way.

I've handfed Suns, GCC & Cockatiels.....there is sooo much to learn. I HIGHLY recommend trying to find someone local to show you. My local bird store actually holds classes!

It's a lot of time & you probably won't actually "make" any $ when you figure out how much time it takes! I pull mine late- almost 3 weeks old as I work but I do have to come home from lunch to do a day feeding.

Oh...I don't "force" a baby to eat a certain amount btw, but I keep careful watch of the amounts, proper temperature, keep the bird VERY clean (which is harder than you'd think). I used to weigh them before each feeding even, but haven't done this on my current nest. I definitely only recommend it for someone who truly loves birds & does not mind the 8-12 week commitment!

It is VERY rewarding, but there are many things that can go wrong! Definitely recommend YOUTUBE as a place to start, there are actually many great videos.

__________________"She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot." ~Mark Twain

well they are being kept at the shop i work at and im there 5-6days a week and the otherdays there will be someone else there to do it and i watched all that youtube has to offer and will take all your info and put it in good use thank you

That's good, you may want to have someone take them home if you aren't there too late or early. Notes would probably be best as you will be changing who feeds. I like to make sure my babes eat a very steady amount depending on the age, and not eating or not having the crop empty can signal a problem.

__________________"She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot." ~Mark Twain

I pull mine at about 3 weeks of age so that 3-4 feedings is usually enough and so that the pins cover them and a heat lamp is not necessary (though I try to keep my house above 75F at ALL times, easy for me living in AZ). For larger nest I tend to pull them 1-2 at a time, depending on hatch dates.

You always want to see that the crop is EMPTY before another feeding. Can't stress this enough.

With that kind of schedule, obviously as soon as someone gets in the shop, once early afternoon, once early evening & possibly one late night. This is dependent upon the babies & how soon you pull, you could probably get away with 3 feedings. I tend to do the last feeding as late as possible & have actually gotten up at a crazy hour if I check on them during the night & find them hungry (this is only the 1st week that I've found this necessary).

I was taught by a lady who's raised just about everything, Cockatiels to Macaws. I highly recommend on Amazon Zupreem Embrace Plus handfeeding, the Kaytee brand wasn't my favorite. Def get 5+ lbs, you'll need it! Make sure to make it fairly thick & def follow the directions about letting it cool, it thickens within 1.5 minutes. If babies crops empty too fast, you may be making the formula too thin & if they're slow you might be too thick. They're are techniques out there if the crop doesn't empty! DO NOT PUT NEW FOOD on a full crop.

For your staff, I would suggest a digital instant thermometer. They're about $8 at Walmart, and babies must be fed 100-105F. Also, I prefer the baby syringe they sell for $2, I've never been found of the spoon.

Good tip: have your baby food mixing mini bowl & a bowl slightly larger. When the food has cooled to the right temp, you can put very hot water in the larger bowl & set the food bowl in it to keep it warmer longer.

There's lots more but I'm off to work......a double shift so my lunch time will be feeding them & my hubby may do a feeding for me.

Best of luck! Watch those videos!

__________________"She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot." ~Mark Twain